In an email to supporters, the Idaho Republican Party boasts that for the first time ever, more Idahoans are registered as Republicans than as Democrats or unaffiliated. The GOP says the March presidential primary recorded the highest turnout ever for a primary in the state.
This comes as no surprise to Jaclyn Kettler, political science professor at Boise State University. She says at the time of the March primary, the Republican presidential nomination was still very much up for grabs.
“It was still a competitive race for the Republican nomination," says Kettler. "You know, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio came and visited and there were television ads. And so I think there was some excitement and interest and some more motive, ‘Oh, my vote will actually matter in this primary.’”
Kettler says the closed primary brought out a lot of voters. Since people had to register as Republicans in order to vote – a boost in party numbers makes sense.
She says what’s less clear is how the bump will impact Idaho’s GOP operations going forward, and if the same kind of voter turnout will happen forthe May 17 state primary. But, Kettler points out the party now has more names and contacts – which could help with future organizing efforts.
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